Air India Express starts direct flight from New Delhi to Dubai

Air India Express has started direct services from the national capital to the Gulf, with the first flight to Dubai taking off.

The airline would begin direct Delhi-Abu Dhabi flight from.

The entry of Air India's international budget arm into New Delhi is likely to intensify competition in the lucrative Gulf routes from the national capital since other Indian carriers have recently increased their frequencies. SpiceJet, IndiGo and Jet Airways have flights on Gulf routes.

Air India Express will operate the two direct flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi daily. New Boeing 737-800 aircraft with capacity to carry 189 passengers are being deployed.

"The inaugural flight to Dubai, IX 141, took off with 166 passengers from New Delhi at 9.05 am on Sunday. The daily flight to Abu Dhabi will be effective Monday," Air India Express said in a release today.

Headquartered in Kochi, Air India Express flies from 13 places across the country to as many destinations in the Middle-East and South-East Asia.